Restless Souls

Restless Souls...the chapter title of a book I'm reading and could not have been more poignant to my state of mind this week.  So fitting, when I read it Wednesday evening.  There was even the word ADOPTION in the chapter.  That alone isn't special, but our restlessness had to deal with our adoption process, so for me it hit home.  Sorry, Grandma and Grandpa, I couldn't write until tonight.  I needed to breathe, to look at the small things, to celebrate little moments.

 ENJOYING...

Surprising my kids at their Valentine Party.  Being a teacher, I am unable to visit their class parties.  Today, I used a personal half-day to attend.  They were surprised and excited.  Austin kept that lollipop throughout the party.  Every picture I have, it's in his hand.

You may enjoy the cold weather, Kristen from NC, but we are ready for a thaw and the SUN.  I wore my fun wellies today, in honor of Valentine's Day.  They make me so happy:)

Andy and Addy are off to the Second Grade Sock Hop.  In total honor of the 50's, they dressed the part, leather jacket and all!!!

Even Addy is licking a lollipop.  Betcha Sarah will follow the kids' lead!!!

CELEBRATION...

Earlier, our friends traveled their own journey of faith to Boston.  Their daughter has spent the last 1 1/2 years in pain, seen numerous specialists, and tried many therapies.  The hospital in Boston has a 98% success rate for her diagnosis, so they traveled with many unanswered questions.  Many prayers traveled with them on their journey.  

Celebration, Praise, Tears of Joy:  she has been accepted into the program!!  Steve, Tracy, Janie and family, we are so excited for you on this journey of faith.  

RESTLESSNESS....

On our adoption process, we've hit a wall.  USCIS received our paperwork in January, fingerprints are completed, and we still do not have an officer assigned to our case.  Every day we have called, we get an answer of 45-60 days or worse timelines.    We've called our congressman to help us and they received the same answer.  If it is 60 days, some of our paperwork will have expired.  So today, I reached my breaking point and needed to shed some tears.  

Had my meltdown, all better:)

Now GO BIG or GO HOME, and we ain't quitting.  Friends of ours put in personal calls to their political contacts, but we're lacking someone federal.  We've sent multiple emails to offices, and will continue to do so daily!! 

TIDBIT for INTERNATIONAL ADOPTIONS:  Andy did some research on USCIS(for my completely balanced husband, he's beyond frustrated!!).  They track their completion files and progress.  USCIS's goal is for a 2 1/2 month turn-around on processing files.  For us in the international adoption process, this information is vitally important.  Especially for countries who require dated signatures within a 6 month period.  

That puts us into mid-March and many of our dossier papers will expire, especially our medicals and tests.  We'd need to pay for them since insurance already paid for one set.  

So we are GOING BIG to get our file expedited as quickly as possible.  

If anyone has any other ideas, send them.  We are willing to try anything.  Thanks Lisa, for listening via email and ideas.  Already sent and called!!

RESTLESSNESS, put into place so we do not become complacent.   I pulled out the big guns and called my family in Florida to get their friends storming the heavens in prayer for our adoption.  My mother's wise words, "God doesn't leave us on the mountaintop for long because we'll forget to rely on him."  A few more days with the mountaintop high would have been good...

I'm just sayin'

Go BIG or GO HOME!!

Must Reads

During the summer months, I began to research and find books at the library on Down syndrome and adoption.  While they were informational, I was seeking more on the family piece, not medical jargon.  I found a couple of books that I believe every parent with a special needs child should read.  The books are  beautiful, emotional, and give you a glimpse of the love and joy the families receive.  I've found myself  laughing, crying, and overwhelmed all in a short time span.

Gifts and Gifts 2, are written by families and mothers, sharing how people with Down syndrome enrich their lives.  A couple of my special friends have their story in Gifts 2.

Chicken Soup for the Soul, Children with Special Needs:  another tear-jerker, but embraces multiple special needs in this collection of essays from families. 

Kathy Ireland's Editorial on Down Syndrome Research

Op Ed piece by Kathy Ireland: 
The Tragic Shortfall in Down syndrome Research

Broken Shells

My time to read is limited, so I grab non-fiction books as my genre of choice during the school year.  I picked up at copy of Chicken Soup for the Soul, Children with Special Needs at the library and have enjoyed reading some short excerpts through the family's lenses about their children.

    A mother and her 4-year old were collecting shells one summer at the beach.  She was meticulously searching out whole, complete shells to place in her bucket, while her son was picking up many broken ones so his bucket was starting to fill up.  When she looked in the bucket, all she saw were bits, pieces, and fragments of broken shells.    She stopped him and said, "Will, all your shells are broken and no good.  You need to find shells like this," and showed him a complete, whole shell.  Will looked, but continue to pick up one broken shell after another. 

    She stopped him again, with a frustrated tone in her voice.  "Why are you picking up shells that are broken?"  Will replied the only, honest way he could, "Mom, there are way more broken ones on the beach than perfect ones.  We'll fill up our bucket faster with the broken shells."  His mom thought, Okay but who wants a bucket of broken shells?  "Mom, these shells are broken, but they are still beautiful," and proceeded to point out something beautiful on each broken shell in his bucket.  His mother was taught the most valuable lesson that sunny, afternoon.

    We are all broken in some way, but possess beauty and uniqueness beyond belief.  If we take time to look closely at the broken shells, we can see beauty in their imperfections. 
    Debbie Jaskot

Making a Difference

If we're really honest with ourselves, there are probably times when we think, "What possible use can I be in this world?  What need is there for somebody like me to fill?"  That's one of the deeper mysteries.  Then, God's grace comes to us in the form of another person who tells us we have been of help, and what a blessing that is.

Fred Rogers, Mister Rodger's Neighborhood

I have a Voice...

As we walked around Crew Stadium during the Buddy Walk, this traveling gallery was played on the big screen. Beautiful...

Sarah first, then Ds

     Throughout my learning journey over the past few months, I've read and processed so much information on adoption, Down syndrome, and Special Needs children.  I continue to learn daily from those who have walked this path before me and look to them for guidance, advice, and a listening ear when I need it.  For our family and friends who have little experience with a child with special needs, I want to share with you some insights I've learned on this journey.

    Sarah is a little girl with chestnut hair and chocolate eyes.  She has Down syndrome, and most likely was placed in an orphanage in Eastern Europe because of her diagnosis.  In her country, there are no therapies, there are no schools for children with special needs, there is no life.  Parents are given their child's diagnosis at birth and the recommendation to place them in an orphanage.  At 4 or 5, these children are moved to mental institutions, where life expectancy after transfer is 2 years.   They do not see potential in children with Down syndrome.

  Down syndrome is not Sarah, nor is Sarah, Down syndrome.  She is not a Downs baby, nor has Downs.  (It does not have an s on it.  It was named after Dr. Down, who discovered Ds, not someone who had it.)  She is Sarah with Down syndrome.  By saying Sarah with Down syndrome, it shows respect to Sarah and that you see Sarah for Sarah, and not  Down syndrome.  Until Sarah was born in our hearts, I was not aware that my words mattered.  It may seem like semantics, but Sarah and other individuals with Ds (Down syndrome) need to be seen for who they are, and not the Down syndrome piece first.  Sarah is beautiful, Sarah is lovely, Sarah is a life to be cherished, and Ds is a part of her beautiful puzzle.   Her potential is bursting to get out, to be given opportunities, to have a life outside the plain walls.   Sarah is a life worth saving, a life worth living, and a life worth the love of her forever family.  So, when talking about children with Down syndrome, remember their name first, then  Down syndrome.

Buddy Walk Recap

Waking up excited for our first Buddy Walk, our eyes opened up to gray, cloudy skies and cold, windy air with a possibility of rain:(  Walking out the door, we grabbed mittens and hats, and I'm so glad we did!  It continued to be cold the entire time.  However, the rain held off until the event was almost over!!!:)  Yeah!

Walking into the registration area, we found the Reece's Rainbow table.  We met Yana and Robyn's family and began talking about where we all are in our process.  Soon, Addy's Girl Scout troop came and we walked with the Carlisle Cuties, and their captain, Bailey.  What a day!  Seeing so many walking up and down Crew Stadium, celebrating children with Down Syndrome.  Cheerleaders, clowns, mascots, and more were all around to share in the event.  I sent an email over the weekend to the past president of the Down Syndrome Association of Central Ohio to request newsletters and information because her name was given to me from friend as a resource.  Will wonders ever cease, but when we stopped at the information booth, there she was!!!  I introduced myself to her and she was so thrilled for us, and wanted to have coffee soon.  We didn't get to talk much, but there is the promise of conversations to come.  The  RR/Down Syndrome network embraces anyone into the fold with open arms, willing to assist on any level.  We are forever grateful for the day our eyes were opened, because this journey has had so many rewards:)

For Addy and Austin, one of their favorite moments was meeting Bridget and Alina, from Living in the Light.  They've been reading their blogs and watching their montages since we begun our journey to Sarah.    All throughout the walk, our kids and friends were sharing how next year we'll be walking with the newest member of our family!!  We can hardly wait:)  What a great, fulfilling day!! 

Buddy Walk 2010

Making a difference one step at a time...

Make video montages at www.OneTrueMedia.com

Our First Buddy Walk

Today, we are heading to Crew Stadium to participate in our first Buddy Walk with Addyson's Girl Scout Troop.  The Buddy Walk was developed in 1995 to celebrate Down Syndrome Awareness Month and to promote acceptance and inclusion of people with Down Syndrome.  What began as 17 walks in 1995, has grown to over 200 worldwide:)

This past June, the Girl Scout Troop mothers met to think of activities and ideas for our girls to do with a Making a Difference theme.  I had been reading about Down Syndrome at the time, and threw out the idea of participating in the Buddy Walk in October.  Another mother shared that her family walks with their niece every year, and would love to have our troop join them.   We'll be joining the  Carlisle Cuties.  Stop back for pictures of the event:)